Public Project
From Rope to Mud: Chiva Before and After 2021/2024
Mientras tanto, 3 años después, en la localidad de Chiva, los habitantes y voluntarios se enfrentaron a un desafío completamente diferente pero igualmente arduo: la limpieza y recuperación de las calles y viviendas devastadas por el temporal de la DANA (Depresión Aislada en Niveles Altos). Las fuertes lluvias y el desbordamiento de ríos dejaron a muchos hogares bajo el agua, causando graves daños materiales. En este contexto, los vecinos y voluntarios se organizaron de manera ejemplar para restablecer la normalidad. Las medidas tomadas incluyeron el uso de equipos de protección personal (EPP) como guantes, botas impermeables y mascarillas, para evitar el contacto directo con escombros y aguas contaminadas. Además, se implementaron protocolos de seguridad para evitar accidentes durante las labores de limpieza, que incluyeron la eliminación de escombros, barro y restos de objetos, además de la desinfección de viviendas afectadas para prevenir problemas de salud derivados del agua estancada. Al igual que en los festejos taurinos, en este caso la comunidad de Chiva mostró una gran capacidad de adaptación a las circunstancias, trabajando de manera conjunta y con un gran sentido de solidaridad, pero también bajo estrictas medidas sanitarias y de seguridad, con el objetivo de proteger la salud pública en medio de la emergencia.
En este reportaje fotográfico se capturan dos momentos clave en la historia reciente de Chiva, a través de cinco localizaciones que reflejan el contraste entre la celebración de la tradición y la resiliencia frente a la adversidad. Las primeras imágenes nos transportan a 2021, cuando el pueblo retomó los festejos taurinos tras las restricciones del COVID-19, una época en la que la seguridad y la precaución marcaron la celebración. En cambio, las fotografías de 2024 nos muestran un Chiva marcado por la devastación del temporal de la DANA, donde vecinos y voluntarios luchan contra el barro y los escombros para restaurar sus hogares y calles. Este contraste visual entre la alegría contenida de los festejos y la solidaridad frente a la tragedia resalta la capacidad de la comunidad de Chiva para adaptarse y unirse ante la adversidad, manteniendo viva tanto su identidad festiva como su espíritu de superación.
From the Rope to the Mud: Chiva in the Before and After 2021/2024 In the first bullfighting festivities of 2021, both in the “Toro de Cuerda” and in the traditional “Bous al Carrer” in Valencia, strict sanitary measures were implemented to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Local authorities and organizers of the events established safety protocols that included the mandatory use of masks for all attendees, temperature taking at the entrance of the enclosures, and the control of reduced seating capacity to ensure social distancing. In addition, contact areas were constantly disinfected, and participants were required to maintain a safe distance from each other. Although the format of these popular festivities traditionally congregates large crowds, in 2021 they sought to balance tradition with the protection of public health, allowing the celebration of the events with strict preventive measures, which were essential for the reactivation of one of the most emblematic festivities of the Valencian Community, while protecting participants and spectators from health risk.
Meanwhile, 3 years later, in the town of Chiva, residents and volunteers faced a completely different but equally arduous challenge: the cleanup and recovery of streets and homes devastated by the storm of the DANA (Isolated High Level Depression). Heavy rains and overflowing rivers left many homes under water, causing severe material damage. In this context, neighbors and volunteers organized themselves in an exemplary manner to restore normality. Measures taken included the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves, waterproof boots and masks to avoid direct contact with debris and contaminated water. In addition, safety protocols were implemented to avoid accidents during the cleanup work, which included the removal of debris, mud and debris, and the disinfection of affected houses to prevent health problems caused by stagnant water. As in the case of the bullfighting festivities, in this case the community of Chiva showed a great capacity to adapt to the circumstances, working together and with a great sense of solidarity, but also under strict sanitary and safety measures, with the aim of protecting public health in the midst of the emergency.
This photographic reportage captures two key moments in the recent history of Chiva, through five locations that reflect the contrast between the celebration of tradition and resilience in the face of adversity. The first images transport us to 2021, when the town resumed bullfighting festivities after the COVID-19 restrictions, a time when safety and caution marked the celebration. In contrast, the 2024 photographs show us a Chiva marked by the devastation of the DANA storm, where neighbors and volunteers struggle through mud and debris to restore their homes and streets. This visual contrast between the contained joy of the festivities and the solidarity in the face of tragedy highlights the ability of the Chiva community to adapt and unite in the face of adversity, keeping alive both its festive identity and its spirit of overcoming.
Meanwhile, 3 years later, in the town of Chiva, residents and volunteers faced a completely different but equally arduous challenge: the cleanup and recovery of streets and homes devastated by the storm of the DANA (Isolated High Level Depression). Heavy rains and overflowing rivers left many homes under water, causing severe material damage. In this context, neighbors and volunteers organized themselves in an exemplary manner to restore normality. Measures taken included the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves, waterproof boots and masks to avoid direct contact with debris and contaminated water. In addition, safety protocols were implemented to avoid accidents during the cleanup work, which included the removal of debris, mud and debris, and the disinfection of affected houses to prevent health problems caused by stagnant water. As in the case of the bullfighting festivities, in this case the community of Chiva showed a great capacity to adapt to the circumstances, working together and with a great sense of solidarity, but also under strict sanitary and safety measures, with the aim of protecting public health in the midst of the emergency.
This photographic reportage captures two key moments in the recent history of Chiva, through five locations that reflect the contrast between the celebration of tradition and resilience in the face of adversity. The first images transport us to 2021, when the town resumed bullfighting festivities after the COVID-19 restrictions, a time when safety and caution marked the celebration. In contrast, the 2024 photographs show us a Chiva marked by the devastation of the DANA storm, where neighbors and volunteers struggle through mud and debris to restore their homes and streets. This visual contrast between the contained joy of the festivities and the solidarity in the face of tragedy highlights the ability of the Chiva community to adapt and unite in the face of adversity, keeping alive both its festive identity and its spirit of overcoming.
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